Airline prices to South America

[El Cachalote 12]

Dear VJ members,

Especially those with South American cases...what's up with the price of tickets to south america? I've been looking for good prices to Peru for months! They're stuck at $900 plus. #######? In 2010, I went for $440. In August 2011 I paid almost $1300!

I could've gone to Barcelona for less. What going on? I love American Airlines and Lan, but I don't want to pay those prices. In the end...I may have to...but does anyone know if these prices will come down after the holidays?

Thanks,

El Cachalote

[Inky 1,110]

I know its not south america but the last time I looked at flights just to Canada to go visit my mother it was going to cost over $1,000 USD to go to Canada.. I was flying back and forth before for less than $700. The prices on flights are truly crazy recently!

[El Cachalote 12]

Thanks for your reply...

but I'm hoping that after the holidays....maybe the prices will come down? I don't know but, my wife's interview is in January...and it looks like I'll have to pay out of the pocket to go get her (if she's approved!). She's got a almost free ride with ONEWORLD (American Airlines, LAN, etc.) because of my frequent flyer miles. I might just have to poney up and pay the price.

Thanks a bunch,

Magnus el Cachalote

[sheepp 2]

What Airport in US?

[El Cachalote 12]

What Airport in US?

Any of the 3 airports in the Washington, D.C. area (Dullus International, Reagan National or Baltimore-Washington International airports).

Thanks,

Magnus

[yachachiq12 43]

Magnus, from watching them over the years, it looks like they're stuck in that upper range you quote. (Check if you can connect to the Ft. Lauderdale to Lima flight on Spirit airlines if that's any cheaper.) I think it's a combination of fuel costs and the reality of the AA bankruptcy. However, I'm no expert on this, so I don't really know what the cause of the price rise is; rather, I'll tell you now, don't depend on the tickets getting cheaper. Use up all the air miles you can!

We are keeping the $1k figure in mind for any flights to Lima in our family. If you find any magical fix, be sure to share it with us!

[El Cachalote 12]

Magnus, from watching them over the years, it looks like they're stuck in that upper range you quote. (Check if you can connect to the Ft. Lauderdale to Lima flight on Spirit airlines if that's any cheaper.) I think it's a combination of fuel costs and the reality of the AA bankruptcy. However, I'm no expert on this, so I don't really know what the cause of the price rise is; rather, I'll tell you now, don't depend on the tickets getting cheaper. Use up all the air miles you can!

We are keeping the $1k figure in mind for any flights to Lima in our family. If you find any magical fix, be sure to share it with us!

Dear Yachachiq,

Thanks for this info....when I go to Lima, I usually connect in Miami. I will consider Spirit; however, I do not like their carry-on charges. I was wishing to fly AA or LAN (oneworld) since I've been accumulating miles (60K) so I could give my wife an almost free ride one way.

Thanks for this info...so around 1K is what I'm looking at. Well...the good thing is that I am confident she'll be approved in January and whatever the cost...I'll be on the plane with her when she goes to POE (fingers crossed)!!!!

Thank you so much,

Sincerely,

Magnus...el cachalote

[yachachiq12 43]

If you time it right with air miles flight availability, you should be able to get flights for 25k miles each way (50k round trip), though 30k legs are more common. When my husband and I traveled home to the US, we got his one-way ticket with 25,000 AA miles (in December 2010).

At any rate, I'll cross my fingers it works out well for you!

[Susita 175]

Magnus, I know you need to fly next month, but I just wanted to let you know that me, my husband & the kids got tickets for the end of March @ $600/each. We're flying LAN from NYC JFK Airport to Lima & back, direct overnight flights each way. I got the tickets on CheapTickets.com. So yes, I think it totally depends on when you want to fly there. It's kind of nice too, because we will be there for Semana Santa & will still get to enjoy the end of the summer there.

Buena suerte

Dear VJ members,

Especially those with South American cases...what's up with the price of tickets to south america? I've been looking for good prices to Peru for months! They're stuck at $900 plus. #######? In 2010, I went for $440. In August 2011 I paid almost $1300!

I could've gone to Barcelona for less. What going on? I love American Airlines and Lan, but I don't want to pay those prices. In the end...I may have to...but does anyone know if these prices will come down after the holidays?

Thanks,

El Cachalote

I was wishing to fly AA or LAN (oneworld) since I've been accumulating miles (60K) so I could give my wife an almost free ride one way.

If I'm not mistaken, I believe you can put in your AAdvantage # on CheapTickets & use your miles too. If you find tickets you want to purchase, I'd give their Customer Service # a call first though.

[El Cachalote 12]

Magnus, I know you need to fly next month, but I just wanted to let you know that me, my husband & the kids got tickets for the end of March @ $600/each. We're flying LAN from NYC JFK Airport to Lima & back, direct overnight flights each way. I got the tickets on CheapTickets.com. So yes, I think it totally depends on when you want to fly there. It's kind of nice too, because we will be there for Semana Santa & will still get to enjoy the end of the summer there.

Buena suerte

If I'm not mistaken, I believe you can put in your AAdvantage # on CheapTickets & use your miles too. If you find tickets you want to purchase, I'd give their Customer Service # a call first though.

Dear Susita,

Thanks so much for this information. It lightens my heart a bit. I will look at Cheaptickets. I'm trying to travel either late Feburary of Early March. Have a good time on your trip...I've yet to experience semana santa.

Mil Gracias!!!

Sincerely,

Magnus

[El Cachalote 12]

Magnus, I know you need to fly next month, but I just wanted to let you know that me, my husband & the kids got tickets for the end of March @ $600/each. We're flying LAN from NYC JFK Airport to Lima & back, direct overnight flights each way. I got the tickets on CheapTickets.com. So yes, I think it totally depends on when you want to fly there. It's kind of nice too, because we will be there for Semana Santa & will still get to enjoy the end of the summer there.

Buena suerte

If I'm not mistaken, I believe you can put in your AAdvantage # on CheapTickets & use your miles too. If you find tickets you want to purchase, I'd give their Customer Service # a call first though.

Dear Susita,

My wife's interview is 17 Jan; after she gets her visa in hand, she's going back to the selva (Iquitos) to spend a few weeks with her family before her journey to USA. So that's why I say my window is late febuary/early march.

Thanks again.

Magnus

[Susita 175]

Dear Susita,

My wife's interview is 17 Jan; after she gets her visa in hand, she's going back to the selva (Iquitos) to spend a few weeks with her family before her journey to USA. So that's why I say my window is late febuary/early march.

Thanks again.

Magnus

I understand. Best of luck! Hope you are able to find a good deal

I haven't seen my in-laws in 3 years and they still haven't met the baby (she's almost 2!) so it should be a great trip. Thanks!

[Mononoke28 135]

That's the problem with having to fly to S.A. during peak season, especially from November - January, the airlines know that many people are flying to see family during the holidays and raise their prices to astronomical levels. People who have a pending interview at the embassy and have no control over their dates pretty much have no choice than to pay up or risk having to wait even longer if they re-schedule. But for others, like us, who usually fly to see family in December, we start looking at prices in March/April to get a better price. Booking way in advance makes a huge difference.

Good luck!

Diana

[El Cachalote 12]

That's the problem with having to fly to S.A. during peak season, especially from November - January, the airlines know that many people are flying to see family during the holidays and raise their prices to astronomical levels. People who have a pending interview at the embassy and have no control over their dates pretty much have no choice than to pay up or risk having to wait even longer if they re-schedule. But for others, like us, who usually fly to see family in December, we start looking at prices in March/April to get a better price. Booking way in advance makes a huge difference.

Good luck!

Diana

Thanks Diana,

Whatever the case, I'll get there. I plan to book the flights as far in advance as possible (17 January) after the interview. My wife and my birthday's are in early March....so we looking for Feb/Mar. I guess I'll be watching Yapta, Vayama and all those other sites waiting for a good price and looking at the clock too!

Thank you,

Sincerely,

Magnus

[Dante & Geor 36]

Prices are outrageous these days, unfortunately for the OP that flight offer ($600) ended the 12th :S it was like a unique opportunity, I hope you find a cheaper flight soon. I've been searching this two months with no luck at all :S